January 19, 2011

It's hard NOT to desire a more simple life when you see this...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BywUvR8YCW4
(This is where we will be traveling late this summer.)

I think about our trips planned for this year.... There will be trips back to the midwest for weddings, a trip to California with our best friends... but the trip that will make the biggest impact in our life this year will be to Ethiopia.

I am exctied about all of our coming travels... A best friend is getting married, it will be a great time to celebrate her new journey in life. It's fun to not just think about her wedding day, but to also to think about all the great things ahead for her: kids, celebrations, ect.

I am excited to spend some time in California with our best friends. I think this is our fourth year vacationing together. I look forward to sitting in the sand watching the kids play... eating ice cream every night... splurging on a fun dinner with probably too much chocolate for desert, and propably talking about a trip to Africa that will be only weeks away...

As we entered into this journey of saying why are we blessed and how do we give back... I have learned far more than I thought I would. It's been hard to let go of material things that I love and to be more needs based. I may have come a long way, but I still have a long ways to go.

As I watch this video, it's hard to believe I need more than water, food, and shelter: yet these kids barely have that.

I listen to many tell me about adoption... Some stories are great and filled with encouragement. Some stories I have to ask if they thought before they talked... but in the end I can only be the hands and feet of Jesus and trust that he will do the rest.

I lost my dad when I was young, and cannot say I have a stable mother. So when I look at the family that Robbie and I have created today, I can only imagine what it would have been like growing up with great parents and my heart truely wants to share that with all kids. Right now we have Maddyn and Brock... we love them more than life... and look forward to sharing our love with kids who might never know what a family is.

So I guess the point is: We are living simple, to adopt and share life with those who might not ever get the chance to know what a family is.